(4) 4-6 Fusion series. Each title in this series of high-interest books offers an introduction to the lives of ancient Greeks, Vikings, Aztecs, Egyptians, Romans, and the people of the Indus Valley. While the text tends to oversimplify the complexities of ancient life, the plentiful illustrations and graphics and the range of topics make these books useful. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Welcome to the Ancient Olympics!, On to Valhalla!, Blood and Celebration, Reach for the Stars, Staying Alive in Ancient Rome, and Trading Up.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. Each title in this series of high-interest books offers an introduction to the lives of ancient Greeks, Vikings, Aztecs, Egyptians, Romans, and the people of the Indus Valley. While the text tends to oversimplify the complexities of ancient life, the plentiful illustrations and graphics and the range of topics make these books useful. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Welcome to the Ancient Olympics!, On to Valhalla!, Blood and Celebration, Reach for the Stars, Staying Alive in Ancient Rome, and Trading Up.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. This introduction to forensic science and the role of forensic investigators in solving crimes also teaches some math, focusing on accuracy in measurement. The text is simple (sometimes overly so) and easy to read, and the high-interest topic should engage reluctant readers. Many photos of investigators on the scene or in their labs add interest and help clarify the topic. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. These books use high-interest topics (jets, search-and-rescue missions, gold mining) to explain scientific principles in chemistry and touch on physics; Confusion is a more general overview of states of matter. The texts are easy to read but suffer from some oversimplification and disorganization of material. The many engaging photographs and occasional diagrams will draw in reluctant readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Panning for Gold, State of Confusion, Search and Rescue, and Fighter Jet.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. Each title in this series of high-interest books offers an introduction to the lives of ancient Greeks, Vikings, Aztecs, Egyptians, Romans, and the people of the Indus Valley. While the text tends to oversimplify the complexities of ancient life, the plentiful illustrations and graphics and the range of topics make these books useful. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Welcome to the Ancient Olympics!, On to Valhalla!, Blood and Celebration, Reach for the Stars, Staying Alive in Ancient Rome, and Trading Up.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. After an introduction defining energy and highlighting its role in everyday life ("Without energy, we would not have movies"), the text discusses differences between renewable and nonrenewable energy, then presents inventions and innovations that maximize efficiency. Though the writing is choppy, the book's combination of topics will likely draw in reluctant readers. Many photographs and some charts illustrate the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. These slim volumes cover life sciences concepts (heredity, symbiosis, animal behavior), delivering content in easy-to-read language, which is sometimes oversimplified and/or disorganized and therefore confusing. The many photographs and occasional charts will make this material approachable to some struggling readers, but the overall look will distract others. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Blame Your Parents, You Scratch My Back, and Animal Secrets.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. These slim volumes cover life sciences concepts (heredity, symbiosis, animal behavior), delivering content in easy-to-read language, which is sometimes oversimplified and/or disorganized and therefore confusing. The many photographs and occasional charts will make this material approachable to some struggling readers, but the overall look will distract others. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Blame Your Parents, You Scratch My Back, and Animal Secrets.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. These books use high-interest topics (jets, search-and-rescue missions, gold mining) to explain scientific principles in chemistry and touch on physics; Confusion is a more general overview of states of matter. The texts are easy to read but suffer from some oversimplification and disorganization of material. The many engaging photographs and occasional diagrams will draw in reluctant readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Panning for Gold, State of Confusion, Search and Rescue, and Fighter Jet.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. These books use high-interest topics (jets, search-and-rescue missions, gold mining) to explain scientific principles in chemistry and touch on physics; Confusion is a more general overview of states of matter. The texts are easy to read but suffer from some oversimplification and disorganization of material. The many engaging photographs and occasional diagrams will draw in reluctant readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Panning for Gold, State of Confusion, Search and Rescue, and Fighter Jet.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. These books use high-interest topics (jets, search-and-rescue missions, gold mining) to explain scientific principles in chemistry and touch on physics; Confusion is a more general overview of states of matter. The texts are easy to read but suffer from some oversimplification and disorganization of material. The many engaging photographs and occasional diagrams will draw in reluctant readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Panning for Gold, State of Confusion, Search and Rescue, and Fighter Jet.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. This book uses an African safari as a framing device to teach data collection and organization ("Today, you will count the cats [lions] in one area...You make a table to help keep count"). Though the information can be scattered and confusing, the high-interest approach may draw in reluctant readers. Many photographs, along with examples of charts, graphs, and tables, illustrate the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. These slim volumes cover life sciences concepts (heredity, symbiosis, animal behavior), delivering content in easy-to-read language, which is sometimes oversimplified and/or disorganized and therefore confusing. The many photographs and occasional charts will make this material approachable to some struggling readers, but the overall look will distract others. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Blame Your Parents, You Scratch My Back, and Animal Secrets.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. This volume highlights the behavioral patterns of monarch butterflies as an example of animal migration. Content is delivered in accessible--though sometimes oversimplified and therefore confusing--language. The book's many photographs and maps may engage reluctant readers, but the book's overall look and design will turn others off with its too-busy appearance. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. Each title in this series of high-interest books offers an introduction to the lives of ancient Greeks, Vikings, Aztecs, Egyptians, Romans, and the people of the Indus Valley. While the text tends to oversimplify the complexities of ancient life, the plentiful illustrations and graphics and the range of topics make these books useful. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Welcome to the Ancient Olympics!, On to Valhalla!, Blood and Celebration, Reach for the Stars, Staying Alive in Ancient Rome, and Trading Up.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. Each title in this series of high-interest books offers an introduction to the lives of ancient Greeks, Vikings, Aztecs, Egyptians, Romans, and the people of the Indus Valley. While the text tends to oversimplify the complexities of ancient life, the plentiful illustrations and graphics and the range of topics make these books useful. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Welcome to the Ancient Olympics!, On to Valhalla!, Blood and Celebration, Reach for the Stars, Staying Alive in Ancient Rome, and Trading Up.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. Each title in this series of high-interest books offers an introduction to the lives of ancient Greeks, Vikings, Aztecs, Egyptians, Romans, and the people of the Indus Valley. While the text tends to oversimplify the complexities of ancient life, the plentiful illustrations and graphics and the range of topics make these books useful. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Welcome to the Ancient Olympics!, On to Valhalla!, Blood and Celebration, Reach for the Stars, Staying Alive in Ancient Rome, and Trading Up.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) 4-6 Fusion series. These slim volumes feature high-interest topics and the science behind them. Although complex information is being covered, the scientific explanations are clear and precise; new terminology is defined at the bottom of each page. Large, well-captioned, dynamic photos, sidebars, and diagrams in a clean design will stimulate the imaginations of young researchers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: What Color Is an Orange?, Roller Coaster!, What's the Attraction?, Dive! Dive! Dive!, and Fireworks!

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. Scant text introduces the subjects of these books, the titles of which reflect their "high-interest twist" (Cow is about how scientific inquiry led Edward Jenner to the smallpox innoculation). Though some bolded words are defined on their pages while others only in the glossary, the large (often close-up) photos, varying type, and colorful backgrounds will attract readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Skin Deep, Who's in Control?, Body Warriors, and Has A Cow Saved Your Life?

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. Readers learn the history of mapmaking (X Marks the Spot) and put their directional skills to the test by trying to figure out how to get from Paris to Calais, France (Lost!). Although the books' busy design can be difficult to navigate, they feature simple texts that will engage readers through hands-on tasks and interactive questions. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: X Marks the Spot and Lost!.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett